Bail has been set at $85,000 for each suspect, though only Jackson has posted the $8,500 needed to be released. The others are being held in Lake County Jail in Crown Point.

The suspects appeared Tuesday before Lake County Superior Court Magistrate T. Edward Page, who set three dates in mid-January for formal hearings in the Crown Point courthouse.

The five allegedly attacked the woman on Dec. 7. That night, she was driving alone in Hammond when her car was hit from behind by another automobile. When the woman got out to inspect the damage, she was forced into the other car and driven to Gary, where she was repeatedly raped.

A pair of workman`s coveralls found at the scene led to the suspects, according to police.

The attack was similar to four other rapes reported in the Hammond, Gary and Hobart areas in recent weeks. In each case, a woman was driving home alone and the attackers first rammed the victim`s car to get her to stop.

Hammond police said Tuesday that they are investigating whether any or all of the five suspects were involved in the other attacks. At one time, Hammond police set up stakeouts using unmarked cars in an effort to trap the rapists.

The suspects were arrested Jan. 2 at Bethlehem Steel Co. in Gary. One of the men worked for the company, and the other four worked for subcontractors, police said.

They were not formally charged when they were arrested. Instead, Page granted prosecutors a continuance to develop evidence in the case, which included laboratory analysis of hair and blood samples taken from all five. The charges were filed Monday.

Formal hearings will be held Jan. 17, 18 and 19; trial dates for all five will be determined at hearings scheduled for mid-March. If convicted, each could face a maximum sentence of 120 years in prison.